President Donald Trump stepped off the stage Friday during a New York law enforcement speech to embrace the grieving parents of Jacob Freytes, a 12-year-old boy killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx.
The unscripted moment happened at the Nassau County Police Academy while Trump was addressing his administration’s crackdown on crime.
“Two weeks ago, a 12-year-old boy named Jacob Freytes was tragically shot and killed by a stray bullet fired by a repeat offender in a gun battle,” Trump said from the podium.
He continued: “Jacob was the son of a loving mom and a retired New York City police detective, and they are incredible people, and I think I heard that they may be with us today. Are you with us?”
“In a beautiful impromptu moment, President Trump exits the stage in the middle of his speech to embrace Migdalia Martinez and retired NYPD Sergeant Jesus Freytes, whose 12-year-old son Jacob was tragically killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx.”
That’s when Trump left the stage.
He hugged Jacob’s teary-eyed mother, Migdalia Martinez, and his father, retired NYPD Sgt. Jesus Freytes. Trump spoke privately with both parents for several moments before returning to the podium.
“Incredible. Horrible story. What a horrible thing,” Trump said when he returned. “But we’re going after them. These are bad, sick people.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt captured the moment on video and posted it to social media.
Jacob Freytes was sitting on his bike outside a bodega late last month when he was struck by a stray bullet from a gun battle.
Martinez described the moment she learned her son had been shot.
“I gave him a kiss, and I walked out, and we always do a little dolphin kiss. And I walked out and went to work,” Martinez told Fox & Friends Tuesday. “Around five o’clock, they called me and said that he had gotten shot. And all I could do was try to think of different ways to get here faster.”
“When I got there, I just seen my boy gone,” she added.
Police arrested William Ferrer, 45, and charged him with second-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty.
Ferrer has an arrest record spanning more than 25 years, including prior charges for drunk driving, drug possession, menacing and criminal contempt, according to the New York Post.
Jacob’s case has prompted Republicans to introduce “Jacob’s Law” in the New York Legislature — legislation that would impose harsher penalties on criminals whose reckless actions result in the loss of a child’s life.
The charges remain allegations. The case has not been proven in court.
